'The Young & The Restless' HunkI DIDN'T ImpregnateMy Fan!

10/1/2011 4:30 AM PDT

Fear, betrayal ... and a $119 paternity test ... the key elements to a real life soap opera involving the dude who plays the devilishly handsome Chance on "The Young & The Restless."

Soap opera stud John Driscoll has filed for a restraining order against a 27-year-old female fan ... who allegedly concocted terrible lies about the actor that nearly destroyed his relationship with his fiancée ... and jeopardized his career.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, Driscoll claims the fan began telling people she had multiple sexual encounters with John ... and he even fathered her child. The "rumors" allegedly spiraled out of control -- so John resorted to drastic measures.

John claims, "To silence these rumors, to gain credit back from both colleagues and family, I willingly took and paid for the lab testing on a paternity test which knowingly came back negative with a 0% match."

According to the docs, John believes the woman "clearly is not rational" -- and fears she will harm either himself or his fiancee. John wants a judge to keep her at least 500 yards away at all times PLUS he wants her to pay him back for the $119 paternity test.

John was due in court on Sept. 13 -- but he missed his hearing .. so the judge tossed his petition.